Education

National virtual education sessions

These free sessions, run by Regional Transfusion Committees, are for clinical and laboratory staff.

Find out more 

 Please download these resources; resources you can order have a linked asterisk.

Guidance

For new Transfusion Practitioners 

 A drop of knowledge 

For experienced Transfusion Practitioners

A wealth of knowledge 

Please note: both sets of guidance are under review and we would appreciate your feedback, please email your comments to nhsbt.customerservice@nhsbt.nhs.uk

Transfusing safely: procedures and essential checks 

Blood components administration a quick reference guide

Blood transfusion bedside checklist lanyard 

Do we know who you are? poster for patients

Do we know who you are? screensaver for patients

Do you know who they are? poster for staff

Do you know who they are? screensaver for staff 

NBTC indication codes for transfusion bookmark 

NBTC indication codes for transfusion poster  

Pre-administration, blood component transfusion checking video on YouTube and e-LfH

Taking a blood sample for pre-transfusion compatibility testing poster 

The pre-transfusion blood sampling process video on YouTube and e-LfH

The strange case of Penny Allison video on YouTube 

eLearning

Anaemia 

An anaemia package providing a straightforward introduction to anaemia with tailored modules for primary and secondary care, available certified and non-certified.

Go to Anaemia eLearning

Maternal anaemia

A 2-part package introducing maternal anaemia and appropriate management (certified and non-certified).

Go to Maternal anaemia eLearning 

Blood component use in Major Haemorrhage

There are 3 modules, for clinical and laboratory staff, covering the key aspects of transfusion support in Major Haemorrhage.

Go to Blood component use in Major haemorrhage elearning

New Blood Transfusion Training (BTT) elearning programme - from October 2022

New elearning modules replacing learnbloodtransfusion (LBT) are available on elearning for healthcare (elfh) and the Electronic staff record (ESR). Please note: search 'blood transfusion' in the learning catalogue.

To support the redevelopment within this financial year the modules will initially be available in an interim text and image format, but the content is current and accurate. The functionality does allow hosting of the modules on local learning management systems via elfh.

  • Essential Transfusion Practice - replacing LBT Safe Transfusion Practice (STP) and STP paediatrics
  • Good Manufacturing Practice
  • Consent - replacing LBT Consent for Transfusion
  • SHOT - a new module
  • Transfusion Reactions - replacing LBT Acute Transfusion Reactions
  • Blood Components - replacing LBT Blood Components and Indications for Use
  • Cell Salvage - replacing LBT learncellsalvage
  • Introduction to Safer Transfusion Laboratory Practice - replacing Safe transfusion practice, laboratory
  • Use of Anti-D Immunoglobulin in Pregnancy

There will be a break in provision of the “collection” and “phlebotomy pathways”. Although the relevant content is included within ETP you may wish to put alternative provision in place, please be reassured that plans are in place to address this as a priority in 2023 - 24.

From April 2023 onwards, we will take one or two modules per year and rebuild them utilising the full functionality and interactivity the software provides. This work will be in collaboration with our colleagues in the other UK blood services. The LBT modules are still available via learnPro but NHSBT no longer supports free of charge access to this platform. Your transfusion practitioner can advise which programme is applicable to your organisation.

Transfusion Associated Circulatory Overload (TACO)

TACO matters flyer *

TACO matters poster 

TACO matters screensaver 

Non medical authorisation of blood components

Clinical course 

Non medical authorisation of blood components

The course costs £300 and is for senior nurses and midwives who are working towards making the clinical decision and providing the written instruction for blood component transfusion. 

Position statement 

Resources  

Clinical Decision-Making and Authorising Blood Component Transfusion: A Framework to Support Non-Medical Healthcare Professionals (PDF 450KB)

Policies and competency documents shared by Regional Transfusion Committees:

East Midlands 

North East   

Yorkshire & the Humber  

Hospice

This poster (please download, not available to order from the distribution hub) has been adapted and tailored to the specific requirements of hospice patients requiring transfusion. Produced in response to the National Comparative Audit of red blood cell transfusion in hospices 2016 and in collaboration with the staff from St Gemma’s Hospice, Leeds.

Paediatric and neonatal

Laboratory best transfusion practice for neonates, infants and children bookmark 

Transfusion of blood components for infants and children bookmark 

Transfusion of blood components for neonates bookmark 

Specific requirements

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) negative blood components: information for healthcare professionals factsheet (PDF 325KB) 

Irradiated blood components poster 

Irradiated blood components screensaver 

Irradiated blood factsheet (PDF 289KB) 

Irradiation indicator labels web page 

Our other resources include:

Cryoprecipitate: information for healthcare professionals factsheet 

Fresh frozen plasma: information for healthcare professionals factsheet 

Framework for the provision of blood transfusion out of the acute hospital setting  

Is my blood transfusion necessary? poster *

PBM toolkit - advice on implementing Patient Blood Management strategies in clinical practice

Apps

Blood Assist: blood component administration 

   

This smartphone and web-based application summarises the key guidelines and recommendations for the safe administration of blood components. It is designed for use, at the bedside, at the time of transfusion. 

It is available for NHS Trusts and individuals and is free to download:

- Google play and iTunes stores, search NHS Blood Assist
- As a web-based application www.bloodassist.co.uk

Please tell us what you think of the app, we'd appreciate your feedback.

Please use our poster and video to help promote our app to your colleagues.

Videos

An explanation of how Tranexamic Acid reduces bleeding on YouTube

BSH administration of blood components on YouTube

Having a blood transfusion on YouTube

Pre-administration blood component transfusion checking on YouTube  and e-LfH

Pre-transfusion blood sampling process on YouTube and e-LfH

Setting up and performing a Manual Red Cell Exchange in Sickle Cell patients (less than 40kg) on YouTube; supporting documentation for patients weighing less than 40kg: Example 1 (Word 64KB) Example 2 (Word 92KB)

Setting up and performing a Manual Red Cell Exchange in Sickle Cell patients (40kg and more) on YouTube; supporting documentation for patients weighing more than 40kg: Example 1(Word 67KB) Example 2 (Word 57KB) 

The strange case of Penny Allison on YouTube

Websites 

Serious Hazards of Transfusion (SHOT)

Thromboelastography / Thromboelastometry (TE) toolkit 

UK Cell Salvage Action Group